Jingtong Old Trail Introduction
The Jing Tong Ancient Trail has a history of at least a hundred years, originating from the Qing Dynasty when residents from Shuijiaojiao (present-day Xizhi) crossed mountains and ventured into the Jing Tong Valley to cultivate barren land and settle. The residents traveled between Pingxi and Xizhi, carrying various goods using shoulder poles, which led to the creation of this mountain path. During the Japanese occupation, extensive coal mining in Pingxi brought in a large population, turning it into a mining hub. Although the Pingxi Railway was built primarily for coal transport, the Jing Tong Ancient Trail remained a crucial transportation route to Xizhi. Along the trail, there is a large rock bearing an upright, rustic stone tablet. The inscription, though faint, is still legible; it reads "Road Opening Monument," which was established during the Japanese occupation to commemorate the opening of the Jing Tong Ancient Trail, making it an important heritage site along the trail. After 1971, the opening of roads connecting Pingxi to Muzha, Ruifang, and Xizhi led to the trail becoming deserted, leaving only mountain climbers seeking adventure. The Jing Tong Ancient Trail starts at the Dongshan River Valley access point along the Xiping Road, traversing the Shizhuizi Mountain area, crossing the highest point, the Panshi Ridge, where it meets Xiping Road, then entering the Pingxi District, passing through areas like Roubankai, Bird Nest Cape, Yunwu Valley, and Moshanzi Cave to reach Jing Tong. The trail is divided into two segments: the Xizhi section starts at the entrance on Dongshan Road after crossing the Ren'ai Bridge; the Pingxi section is opposite the Tudi Gong Temple on Panshi Ridge and is quite noticeable. The Xizhi section features rural paths with scattered farmhouses and villas, while the Pingxi section presents a challenging mountainous wilderness.
